Canvas - Roles and Permissions

Role NameDescriptionCan Teachers add role?
AuditorAuditors can access and participate in a course, just like students.

For community courses, yes (see "How do I add users to a course?").

For academic courses, no: enrollments are based on course registration data. Note that if your community course pulls enrollments from academic courses, teachers cannot add this role. Current students are not eligible to audit a class; however, they may enroll in a class and change the grading basis to No Credit Basis (Audit). For more information, review the various Registration Programs available to Auditors.

Designer

Access to view and edit all course content, but cannot interact with students or grade work. Students will not see Designers in the People list. Same characteristics as Teachers except:

  • Cannot add or change enrollments
  • Cannot publish or unpublish a course
  • Cannot view or grade student work
  • Cannot message students, start conferences, etc.
Yes (see "How do I add users to a course?").
Grader

Can evaluate student work and view/enter grades. Cannot edit course content or settings. Same characteristics as Teachers except:

  • Cannot add or change enrollments
  • Cannot edit any course content or settings
  • Can do all grading except moderation
Yes (see "How do I add users to a course?").
ObserverCan view course content, but not participate or see grades. An Observer can also be linked to a specific student in order to view their work and grades.Yes, Teachers can enroll an Observer so they can see the course (see "How do I add users to a course?"). To link an Observer to see a specific student's work, contact the IT Service Center.
StudentStudents can access and participate in a course.

For academic courses, no. Enrollments are based on course registration data. Note that this also applies to community courses that pull enrollments from academic courses.

For community courses, yes (see "How do I add users to a course?").

TA

Access to all course management tools. Same characteristics as Teachers except:

  • Cannot add or change enrollments
  • Cannot publish or unpublish a course
  • Can do all grading except moderation
Yes (see "How do I add users to a course?"). TAs are also enrolled automatically based on course registration data.
TA - No Grade Access

Access to all course management tools, except grading. Same characteristics as Teachers except:

  • Cannot add or change enrollments
  • Cannot publish or unpublish a course
  • Cannot view or grade student work
Yes (see "How do I add users to a course?").
TeacherFull access to course and course management tools. Can add other users to the course, except Students and Auditors.Yes (see "How do I add users to a course?"). Teachers are also enrolled automatically based on course registration data.